Discontent with God's Provision
Human nature or the flesh is the constant enemy of every believer. If we listen to the flesh, we will be tempted to give in to intense cravings, in which we choose our own desires, not God's provision for us. That is what happened to Israel in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land.(Numbers 11:5,6) Any time this happens it hurts the heart of God. Think about it.
They told God they would rather be slaves than follow Him, so they could eat a variety of foods. They chose food over God's freedom from slavery and His provision. I am sure their complaining sickened God, but it was not different from those believers today who long to return to the worldly pleasures they enjoyed before they were saved and started following the Lord. They tell God they want to go back to how things were before salvation. That is very dangerous. Jesus told us that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of heaven.
Also, they claimed their "whole being" was dried up, because all they had was manna. Manna was supernatural food from God. It tasted great, and they always had plenty. However, the people of Israel disdained God's supernatural provision for simply food. They were ungrateful, and they claimed that what God had given was not good enough. They felt like they were missing out on life. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Life is not food. Life is not human experiences. Life is knowing God and growing to know Him better and better. Then, we do not just have a stomach full of good food. We have a heart full of His love, joy, and peace.
Let's not turn our nose up at God's manna. Let's not desire the past with its pleasures. Let's follow the Lord and be content with His provisions. Anything less could invoke His anger on us, or it could be a sign that we do not really know the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 13-15.
They told God they would rather be slaves than follow Him, so they could eat a variety of foods. They chose food over God's freedom from slavery and His provision. I am sure their complaining sickened God, but it was not different from those believers today who long to return to the worldly pleasures they enjoyed before they were saved and started following the Lord. They tell God they want to go back to how things were before salvation. That is very dangerous. Jesus told us that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of heaven.
Also, they claimed their "whole being" was dried up, because all they had was manna. Manna was supernatural food from God. It tasted great, and they always had plenty. However, the people of Israel disdained God's supernatural provision for simply food. They were ungrateful, and they claimed that what God had given was not good enough. They felt like they were missing out on life. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Life is not food. Life is not human experiences. Life is knowing God and growing to know Him better and better. Then, we do not just have a stomach full of good food. We have a heart full of His love, joy, and peace.
Let's not turn our nose up at God's manna. Let's not desire the past with its pleasures. Let's follow the Lord and be content with His provisions. Anything less could invoke His anger on us, or it could be a sign that we do not really know the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 13-15.